The Mexican Drug War is a conflict between the Mexican Government and leading drug cartels. The conflict is an armed and violent battle that has been ongoing since December of 2006. Mexico is the main route for drug trafficking entering the United States and Canada. Cocaine is the largest trafficked drug alongside Marijuana.
The drug trafficking in and through Mexico has been an ongoing problem since the 1980's and 90's. However, due to the arrest of Mexico's top cocaine businessman, Miguel Angel Felix Gallardo in 1989, fighting between cartels has greatly increased. During the late 1990's fighting slowed, but then in January and August of 2005, fighting cartels between the Gulf and Sinaloa resulted in the death of an estimated 100+ people. The Mexican Drug War is the cause of violence and the death of many innocent people. Extreme violence occurs resulting in injuries and death in Mexico.
Current Mexican President Felipe Calderon sent 6500 military troops on December 11, 2006 as a retaliation effort to stop the drug violence in the area of Michoacan. December 11, 2006 is noticed as the start of the ongoing war. As of 2009, there are over 45,000 military troops present in all areas of Mexico. An estimated 7228 deaths have occurred despite efforts. Some police and other officials in Mexico have been corrupted allowing the cartels to advance further. In June of 2007, while the number remains to increase, 284 federal police were purged due to criminal activity. Among other things, firearms are not sold legally in Mexico and are being smuggled from the United States few at a time causing another crisis during the war. The most popular firearms being smuggled are AK-47's and AR-15's.
Juarez, Mexico has become increasingly dangerous due to its proximity to the border between the United States and Mexico. Leaders in the United States fear that the violence due to the cartels will spill over from Mexico to the United States. 19 American deaths occurred in 2008 from the drug violence and the United States have advised that citizens of the US should remain out of Mexico. US officials are deciding whether or not to send the National Guard to help keep the violence out of the United States. The National Guard will serve as a last resort.
The United States, although we are trying to stop the drug violence and war, we are also helping to aid the drug cartels in the fight as we continue to buy and sell illegal drugs. We can help prevent the further destruction of this war by trying to put an end to illegal drug use and the buying and selling of those drugs. If we can minimize the amount of drugs illegally sold, drugs could potentially become less wanted. This ongoing war is not going to remarkably stop and change overnight, but we can help to keep it from growing bigger. Most importantly, we can spread the word about the Drug War, and give others knowledge about the situation.
LINKS:Interactive Map
*Here is an overview of the areas where the Drug War is taking place. The Big Picture
*Photos of the Drug War. Frontline Video
*Take a peek here at any of the videos to get an inside look at whats going on in Mexico & the United States. Political Cartoon
*Another Cartoon.
WORKSHEET:*Answer questions on a separate piece of paper.
1. What is the largest trafficked drug?
2. In 1989, who was Mexico's top cocaine businessman?
3. Who is the current President of Mexico?
4. December 11, is considered the starting date of the war?
-True or -False
5. How many troops are estimated to be in Mexico?
6. Firearms are sold legally in Mexico.
-True or -False
7. How many American deaths have been reported since 2008?
8. What do you believe you can do to help?
LINKS:Interactive Map
*Here is an overview of the areas where the Drug War is taking place.
The Big Picture
*Photos of the Drug War.
Frontline Video
*Take a peek here at any of the videos to get an inside look at whats going on in Mexico & the United States.
Political Cartoon
*Another Cartoon.
WORKSHEET:*Answer questions on a separate piece of paper.
1. What is the largest trafficked drug?
2. In 1989, who was Mexico's top cocaine businessman?
3. Who is the current President of Mexico?
4. December 11, is considered the starting date of the war?
-True or -False
5. How many troops are estimated to be in Mexico?
6. Firearms are sold legally in Mexico.
-True or -False
7. How many American deaths have been reported since 2008?
8. What do you believe you can do to help?
SOURCES:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91097980&ft=1&f=1004
http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_Drug_War
http://projects.latimes.com/mexico-drug-war/#/interactive-map
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/03/mexicos_drug_war.html
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/drugs/video/
http://www.politicalcartoons.com/cartoon/d95e45be-03c6-486c-8f14-12f84c6bc4e7.html
By: Elyssa Service, Haylie Polistina and Cassie Richardson.